10-144-301 Me. Code R. § 400-FS 444-8

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 144-301-400-FS 444-8 - Categorically Eligible Households

1.RECEIPT OF SSI

Households in which all members receive SSI will be considered categorically eligible for SNAP. Do not include as members: ineligible aliens, ineligible students or residents of nonexempt institutions.

2.RECEIPT OF TANF-FUNDED SERVICE OR BENEFIT

Subject to the "EXCEPTIONS" set out in Subparagraph C, below, all households are categorically eligible for SNAP if their gross income is at or below the limit detailed in Section 999-3 Chart 4 and at least one member of the household receives a TANF funded service or benefit.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services Resource Guide for Families (Resource Guide) is a TANF funded service distributed to applicants at or below the limit detailed in Section 999-3 Chart 4. It includes general information about employment, nutrition, housing, utilities, child care, legal and other supports in Maine.

A.Narrow Categorical Eligibility

All households, with gross income at or below the limit detailed in Section 999-3 Chart 4, that have a child under the age of 18, or 18 and a full time high school student, who lives with a parent or caretaker relative are eligible for the Resource Guide.

B.Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

All households with gross income that is at or below the limit detailed in Section 999-3 Chart 4 that do not include a child under the age of 18, or 18 and a full time high school student, are eligible for the Resource Guide.

C.EXCEPTIONS:

The households described in Subparagraphs A and B, above, are not categorically eligible for SNAP if:

(1) the entire household is institutionalized in a nonexempt facility,

(2) a member of the household is presently disqualified for an Intentional Program Violation,

(3) the household fails to complete annual eligibility review requirements, or

(4) the head of household fails to comply with work requirements, including job quit (Section 111-6) .

3.FACTORS CONSIDERED TO BE MET FOR CATEGORICALLY ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS

A. The factors listed below are considered to be met for categorically eligible households.

(1) asset limits;

(2) transfer of assets;

(3) Social Security Number requirements;

(4) sponsored alien requirements; and

(5) residency and identification requirements;

(6) 130% gross and 100% net Federal Poverty Level income limits. (See Section 999-3 Charts 1 and 2.)

B. Even though these households are considered to be categorically eligible for SNAP benefits, all individuals who are not SSI or GA benefit recipients must have the following factors verified:

(1) Social Security Number requirements,

(2) sponsored alien requirements, and

(3) residency and identification requirements.

4.RECEIPT OF GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA)

Households in which all members receive General Assistance are pure GA households. Pure GA households are eligible for SNAP benefits. Ineligible aliens, ineligible students, residents of nonexempt institutions, individuals disqualified for failure to provide or apply for a social security number, household members disqualified for failure to comply with work requirements, and individuals disqualified for Intentional Program Violations are not counted as household members.

A.EXCEPTION:

The GA Household is not categorically eligible if:

(1) a member of the household refuses to cooperate in providing information to OFI that is necessary to determine eligibility or to complete any subsequent review of eligibility;

(2) the household is ineligible under the striker provision in Section 444-9; or

(3) the household is ineligible because they knowingly transferred assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for SNAP benefits.

B.Factors considered to be met for pure GA households

The factors listed below are considered to be met for pure GA households.

(1) assets limits;

(2) 130% gross and 100% net Federal Poverty Level income limits;

(3) sponsored alien requirements; and

(4) residency and identification requirements.

5.PROCEDURE

Applicants may apply for TANF/PaS and SNAP at the same time. SSI applicants may apply for SNAP at the Social Security Office (Section 222-1) or at the Department of Health and Human Services. GA applicants can get an application at the GA office but must apply for SNAP through the Department of Health and Human Services.

If TANF or PaS/SSI/GA eligibility has not been determined, SNAP eligibility is based upon SNAP criteria. Denial of a potential categorically eligible household will be delayed for thirty days from the SNAP application date. Households denied SNAP benefits that have a pending SSI or GA application shall be notified of the possibility of categorical eligibility should they become SSI or GA recipients.

If SNAP was denied prior to the granting of TANF or PaS/SSI/GA, SNAP benefits for the initial month must be prorated from the date from which the TANF or PaS, SSI, or GA benefits are payable, or the date of the original SNAP application date, whichever is later.

6.MINIMUM BENEFIT

One and two member categorically eligible households shall receive at least the minimum benefit found in Section 999-3 Chart 6, regardless of the amount of net income.

Households with three or more members who are eligible for zero benefits are not denied. They are suspended. Such households are "authorized to receive benefits."

7.ALLOWANCE FOR BENEFITS AUTHORIZED BUT NOT PAID

A. Individuals are considered recipients of SSI or GA even if not receiving payments due to:

(1) benefits have been authorized but payment has not yet been received;

(2) benefits are suspended or recouped; or

(3) the benefit amount is less than minimum benefit paid.

B. Households are categorically eligible due to TANF or PaS authorization even if not receiving payments because:

(1) benefits have been authorized but payment has not yet been received;

(2) benefits are suspended or recouped;

(3) the benefit entitled to is less than minimum benefit paid; or

(4) benefits or services are authorized but not used.

8.ENDING CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY

A. Categorical eligibility related to TANF or PaS continues until the benefit or service is no longer funded by TANF funds.

B. Categorically eligible households must be automatically terminated from SNAP for failure to become timely re-certified, even though they continue to receive TANF or PaS, SSI, GA or a TANF funded service or benefit.

C. Categorically eligible individuals are subject to annual eligibility review (Section 666-9), and work registration and employment/training requirements and exemption criteria (Section 111-5) . Job quit penalties (Section 111-6) also apply.

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 301, § 400-FS 444-8